P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Prominent Tajik Figures of the Twentieth Century

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

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Azimova, Aziza

Tajik ballet dancer Aziza Azimova was born in the village of Surkhi

of Uroteppa on December 5, 1915. She joined the CPSU in 1941.

She entered the Bukhara Women's Pedagogical Institute in 1927 and

worked with the havaskoron amateur group. In 1930, she joined the

traveling Theater of Tashkent Workers. In 1932, she moved to

Tajikistan and began work in the Lahuti State Academy of Dramatic

Arts. Subsequently she played several dramatic roles including Shirin in

Muboriza (Struggle), by Usmonov; Ra'no in Ra'no (Ra'no), by

Saidmurodov; Adelma in Malikai Turandot (Queen of Turandot), by K.

Gotstsi; and others.

Between 1938 and 1946, she danced at the Music Theater (present-

day Aini State Academy Theater for Opera-Ballet). She has created the

roles of Nozgul in Du Gul (Two Flowers), by A. Lenskii, 1941; Liza in

Ihtiyotkorii Bihuda (Futile Precaution), by L. Gerold, 1943; and Maria

in Favvorai Boghcha Saroi (The Garden Fountain), by B. Osefov,

1945.

Between 1946 and 1951, when she received her degree in director-

ship and advanced ballet, Azimova attended the State Institute of

Dramatic Arts Named After Lunacharskii. She then performed in the

1950 production of Lolai Surkh (Red Tulip), which was also her dis-

sertation, and Doktor Aibolit (Doctor Aibolt). After 1951, she served as

the chief ballet dancer of the State Philharmonic Society of Tajikistan,

teaching her art to the younger generation of Tajiks. In 1964 and 1965,

Azimova served a stint in Kabul. In 1967, she joined the staff of the

Dushanbe Pedagogical Institute as a Professor of Fine Arts.

Azimova received the title of People's Artist of Tajikistan in 1941.

She received two Orders of Red Banner of Labor, two Orders of the

Badge of Honor, and a number of other medals.